Ben Carson apologizes to Johns Hopkins

Maryland neurosurgeon Ben Carson, the nationally celebrated physician who has become a political lightning rod in recent weeks after his criticism of President Barack Obama and gay marriage, sent an apologetic email Friday to the Johns Hopkins University community expressing regret for “hurting others” with his words.

Carson became a sensation in the conservative media earlier this year after giving a politically charged speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, which Obama attended. Conservative opinion leaders praised his speech and activists on the right have floated the prospect of a 2016 presidential run – a suggestion Carson has done little to defuse.

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But last week, in one of his many appearances on Fox News, Carson stepped on a political land mine when he compared homosexuality to bestiality and pedophilia in explaining his opposition to gay marriage.

In a Friday email to the Hopkins community – which a source shared with POLITICO – Carson apologized for having caused “any embarrassment” to the institutions he has been affiliated with.

“As you know, I have been in the national news quite a bit recently and my 36 year association with Johns Hopkins has unfortunately dragged our institution into the spotlight as well. I am sorry for any embarrassment this has caused,” wrote Carson, who is the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. “But what really saddens me is that my poorly chosen words caused pain for some members of our community and for that I offer a most sincere and heartfelt apology. Hurting others is diametrically opposed to who I am and what I believe.”

Carson said he has not changed his views on gay marriage, but that he recognizes he erred badly in expressing his opinion.

“There are many lessons to be learned when venturing into the political world and this is one I will not forget. Although I do believe marriage is between a man and a woman, there are much less offensive ways to make that point. I hope all will look at a lifetime of service over some poorly chosen words,” he said.

The email was signed: “Benjamin S Carson Sr MD.”

It’s the most compete walk-back so far from Carson, whose comments to Fox host Sean Hannity triggered such an uproar that some in the Johns Hopkins community called on him to withdraw as this year’s commencement speaker for the university’s medical school.

The doctor’s controversial remarks came in response to a question from Hannity about the rapidly shifting political debate over gay marriage, which prompted Carson to say he feels marriage is “between a man and a woman.

“It’s a well-established, fundamental pillar of society and no group – be they gays, be they NAMBLA, be they people who believe in bestiality – it doesn’t matter what they are, they don’t get to change the definition,” Carson said, using the acronym for the North American Man/Boy Love Association.

Earlier this week, Carson expressed frustration with the backlash against those comments, telling conservative radio host Mark Levin that white liberals are “the most racist people there are.”